Crate



UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE..

WILLIAM DOUGLAS yWOODRUER F BELTON, TEXAS.

CRATE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application led February 11, 1920. SerialNo. 357,945.

, cation.

My invention is an improvement in crates, and has for its object to provide a device of the character specified especially adapted for carrying fruit, as, for instance, peaches, tomatoes, berries and the like, and for retaining said fruit in perfect c0ndition, without bruising or mashing, and which may be stacked one upon the other without danger of collapsing.

In the drawings: y Figure 1 is a perspective view of the iinproved crate, with one of the trays re` moved;

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the removable end; i

F ig. 3 is a front view of a portion of the crate, with the end removed;

Fig. 4 is a partial side view.

In the present embodiment of the invention the improved crate consists of a bottom plate 1 and a top plate 2, the said plates being of wood or the like, and the said plates are connected by vertical plates 3 of equal length, the said plates 3 being arranged in series, one series at each side of the crate. The plates 3 connect the top and bottom and also space the top and bottom, and they are spaced apart from each other a suiiicient distance to provide free ventilation.

Guide bars or cleats 4, 5 and 6 are securely connected with the plates 3, a series of cleats or guide bars 4, 5 and 6 being connected with. each series of plates 3, and these guide bars or cleats are spaced apart from each other, the guide bars 4 being secured to the plates 3 at the bottom plate 1, the cleat or bar 6 being secured to the plates 3 at the top 2, while the cleat 5 is secured to the plates 3 intermediate the top and bottom.

Referring to Fig. 4 it will be seen that the top 2 and the bottom 1 extend beyond the plates 3 `at each end of the crate and at one end each of these top and bottom plates has a transverse cleat 7. These cleats '7 are spaced apart far enough from the adj acent edges of the adjacent plates 3 to permit the insertion of an end 8, the said end being slipped lbetween the cleats 7 and the side plates 3, and the end 8 may be held in position in any suitable or desired manner, as, for instance, by nails or screws.

A series of trays is arranged between the guide bars 4 and 5 and another series between the guide bars ,5 and 6, all of the said traysbeing similar. Each tray con-- sists of a frame formed from substantially parallel side members '9 and connecting end -members 10 rigidly securedV to the ends of the side members, cross plates 11 being secured to one face of the frame, and extend; ing betweenv the side plates and being secured-in place in any suitable or desired manner, and these plates 10 are spaced Yapart from each other a sufficient distance to secure ventilation, without permitting the fruit to fall through. y

The side and end members 9-10 of the frame are of such width that the completed crate will just it betweenthe guide bars 4 and 5 and between thel guide bars 5 and 6, and the crates as a whole are of such length that they will move easily between the series of connecting plates 3 which connect the top 2 and bottom 1. The trays are also of such width with respect to the crate that two trays may be inserted side by side in each pair of guideways. At that end of the crate remote from the end 8 'a cleat 12 is secured transversely of the upper face of the bottom, and a door 13 is adapted to be inserted between the cleat and the vertical plates 3. This door 13 is provided on its inner face at each end with a transverse strip'or cleat 14 and it is provided on its outer face at its top edge with a transverse strip or cleat 15. The cleats 14 engage outside of the adjacent plates 3 when the door is in place, and the cleat 15 bears against the under face of the top. The cleat and the top 'are provided with openings 16 which are adapted to register when the door is in place to receive pins, screws or the like to hold the door in place.

Referring to Fig. 1, it will be seen that each tray has the upper edge of its ends cut away, as shown at 17, to provide handholds for convenience in handling the tray.

A crate constructed as specified and car- Patented July 27, 1920.

rying trays in which the fruit is held is unauthorized parties. A seal may be passed through the opening 16, if desired, thus providing a check for preventing opening of the crate. The-fruit is visible so that its condition may be noted, and it is so held` sisting of a top and a bottom plate, and

strips spaced apart from each other connecting the top and the bottom plates, said top and bottom plates being extended beyond the strips at their ends, an end plate arranged between the top andl bottom at one end, and a removable end atfthe other end, said removable end comprising a plate adapted to rest at its lower edge on the bottom, the bottomA havinga cleat fitting outside of the end and said end having cleats engaging outside of the side strips when the endis in place, a strip arranged transversely of the top of the end on the outer face, said strip and the top having openings Vfor receiving fastening means, and the crate having upper and lower series of guides for receiving'trays, and trays on the guides.

2. A crate of the character specified consisting of a top and a bottom plate, and strips spaced apart from each other connecting the top and the bottom plates, said top and bottom plates being extended beyond the strips at their ends, an end plate arranged between' the top and bottom at one end, and a removable end at the other end, said removable end comprising a plate adapted to rest at its lower edge on the bottom, the bottom having a cleat fitting outside of the end and said end having cleats engaging outside of' the side strips when theend is in place, and a strip arranged transversely of the top of the end on the outer face, said strip and the top having openings for receiving fastening means, and the crate having upper and lower series ofY guides for receivingtrays.

3. A crate of the characterspeciied consisting of a top and a bottom plate, and strips spaced apart from each other'connect-y ing the top and the bottom plates, said top and bottom plates being extended beyond the strips at their ends, an end plate arranged betweenthe top and bottom at one end, and a removable endA at the other end, said removable end comprising a plate adapted to rest at its lower edge on the bottom, the bottom having a cleat tting outside of the end and said end having cleats engaging outside of the side strips when the end is in place, and a strip arranged transversely of the top of the end on the outer face, said strip and the top having openings for receiving fastening means. p

WILLIAM DOUGLAS WOODRUFF. 

